Adjustable split backstay

[Dfisher]

I have a 86 Hunter 31 that was partially dissembled by the previous owner. The plot back stay has a adjustable car and I found a block and tackle that seemed to fit right. Does thing rigging seem right? See

ms like it would pull the mast to the side of the boat with the block. Thank you as always the

 

[kloudie1]

The line from starboard to port that the block pulls on has the same tension on both sides of the moving car; the pull on the stay is centered. That line should be terminated on a pad eye on starboard, like the one on port that anchors the block system. That cleat on the starboard split of the backstay should go somewhere else.

 

[Joe]

That looks pretty dangerous... the pendant should be attached to a padeye or tang at the deck... just like the tackle side. I'd replace the old rope pendant with smaller, stronger wire or dyneema.

 

[sartorst]

That's the way mine is set up and many others

 

[gr8_2_av8]

I have the same boat. I am wondering how much adjustment you get out of the backstay adjustment before the side stays become loose and sloppy. Is it worth adding one to the boat?

 

[Jackdaw]

Boats with a split backstay and adjuster have a built-in failsafe. If the adjuster line breaks, the backstay simply goes to its softest position and stays there. I would make sure that the block line and pendant are in good condition, but there is no need for them to be super high tech.

This is different than a single backstay with a ganged block system. On these if the block-line fails there goes your backstay. These boats should have a dyneema strop to hold the backstay in its loosest position in case of line failure.